How old should a your kid be for first date?

[ninerbuff]

Just wanted to see your opinions on this. My parents were kinda strict so I couldn't actually go out on a date with a girl till I was 16 and it had to be in a lit public place......so the skating rink was it.
With my daughter I'll have to play it by ear since I'm much more liberal with her than the way I was brought up.

 

[blackout]

As long as no one gets pregnant,
I really don't care.

I kind of hope my kids realize that friendship
is the foundation any other more intimate relationship
must be founded on.

After my failure of a marriage with their dad,
I think they do know this already actually.

I'd rather hope to see them develop a good friendship
into something more.
But, they'll do as they Will, of course.

 

[angellous_evangellous]

I don't think that there's a magic age. Kids (age 12-15) these days (I hear) do a lot of "group dating" where an entire group of friends will go bowling or something and "couples" will just hang out together.

I think that 16 is a good age for dating in the traditional sense, but I would prefer it if I knew the kid could be trusted to make reasonably good choices before they are on their own.

 

[Rakhel]

I told mine 16 or 10th grade, which ever came last(I have a kid who was late in school).

 

[blackout]

Also, there is no embarrassment regarding sexuality or partnering with me,
so my kids will ALWAYS know they can be completely honest with me,
and I will always be able to share my insights and give experienced advice,
as well as make sure they are provided with comprehensive birth control
when they need it.

I don't ever want my kids to feel they need to sneak around.
It is natural to want partnership and sexuality.
You just don't want to ruin your life over it by doing so unwisely.

Oh, and different young people,
are ready for dating, and shared sexuality
at different levels
at different ages.
I'm personally more concerned with WHO they are with,
and how responsible they each are,
I think,
than exactly how old they are.

You can make MAJOR life mistakes at 14, 16, 18 or 28.
The thing is, I will not raise another baby.
Not mine, not my children's.
Under any circumstances.

 

[ninerbuff]

Also, there is no embarrassment regarding sexuality or partnering with me,
so my kids will ALWAYS know they can be completely honest with me,
and I will always be able to share my insights and give experienced advice,
as well as make sure they are provided with comprehensive birth control
when they need it.

I don't ever want my kids to feel they need to sneak around.
It is natural to want partnership and sexuality.
You just don't want to ruin your life over it by doing so unwisely.

Oh, and different young people,
are ready for dating, and shared sexuality
at different levels
at different ages.
I'm personally more concerned with WHO they are with,
and how responsible they each are,
I think,
than exactly how old they are.

You can make MAJOR life mistakes at 14, 16, 18 or 28.
The thing is, I will not raise another baby.
Not mine, not my children's.
Under any circumstances.

With you there! Both my parents were in the medical field and ironically didn't really discuss sex at all. I found out the way most kids found out.....through friends and dirty mags. Like you I don't ever want my daughter to sneak, so I'd be more supporting in the use of contraception rather than have her sneak off because she'll disappoint me. It's going to be a tough one I'm sure. Lol, at least at this stage (she's 6) I haven't conned her into thinking of the stork bringing a baby to a family like my parents did at the same age. She actually knows that a baby comes from a females "tummy". We just haven't gotten to the nitty of it yet.

 

[Skwim]

14, 9th grade for dating with others. 15, 10 grade for just the two of them.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

14 or 15 for a boy. 25-30 for a girl.

 

[Skwim]

14 or 15 for a boy. 25-30 for a girl.

Yeah, there's nothing like going out with a well built, experienced 25-30 year old girl to get the hormones of a 14 or 15 year old boy roiling.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Yeah, there's nothing like going out with a well built, experienced 25-30 year old girl to get the hormones of a 14 or 15 year old boy roiling.

Same for the hormones of a 36 year old man.

 

[Vinayaka]

Most kids don't date. They meet up or hook up. Parties, bars, after school when mommy and daddy are both working..

 

[waitasec]

Just wanted to see your opinions on this. My parents were kinda strict so I couldn't actually go out on a date with a girl till I was 16 and it had to be in a lit public place......so the skating rink was it.
With my daughter I'll have to play it by ear since I'm much more liberal with her than the way I was brought up.

it depends on the kids maturity level...
not all 16 yr olds are as mature as some 14 yr olds...
my niece is 14 and my brother is going ape *****... he wasn't a saint growing up so he's got some old cheese to deal with...
i think acting on fear will make the fear a reality...
communication and an open mind is key...

 

[tomato1236]

The LDS standard is 16, and even then kids are encouraged to date in groups. Prior to 16, they're welcome to go out with friends where no pairing off is taking place.

 

[Skwim]

Same for the hormones of a 36 year old man.

 

[ninerbuff]

Most kids don't date. They meet up or hook up. Parties, bars, after school when mommy and daddy are both working..

Lol, when that happened (girlfriends parents were are work) we had our first sexual encounter.

 

[Tarheeler]

My oldest (15) just went on his first date, and it was to his JROTC military ball. I don't know if that really counts as a date considering there were 2 teachers and numerous parents there.

I told him I'd consider letting him go out alone when he hits 16. My wife wants to wait until he's 26.

 

[Kathryn]

13-15 for "romantic" get togethers at my house - no going into the bedroom and shutting the door though.

16 for one on one dates away from the house.

All those privileges can be revoked at management's discretion!

 

[Mathematician]

14-15, but only at one place unless notified beforehand. Once he or she can drive then it's at their own discretion, and I recognize alcohol and/or sex is likely. That's part of the fun of growing up. Just don't let me find out, ha.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

13-15 for "romantic" get togethers at my house - no going into the bedroom and shutting the door though.

16 for one on one dates away from the house.

All those privileges can be revoked at management's discretion!

Cool. So we're good to go in a closed bedroom together.

 

[Reverend Rick]

Also, there is no embarrassment regarding sexuality or partnering with me,
so my kids will ALWAYS know they can be completely honest with me,
and I will always be able to share my insights and give experienced advice,
as well as make sure they are provided with comprehensive birth control
when they need it.

I have four points.

1. It is fantastic you have such a great relationship with your children.

2. It is unrealistic to believe your children share everything with you.

3. Birth control is needed "before", not "when". Lock the barn before the horse is gone, not the night after. Even if your children are 100% honest with you, sometimes things happen they did not foresee to discuss with you.

4.No one can say for sure they will not be raising grandchildren.